Statement by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), Following President Trump's Address to Congress

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The nation watched with anticipation tonight as President Donald J. Trump gave his first address to Congress. Americans are hoping for a change of direction, for real solutions to the many issues plaguing our country and for a better, stronger and more prosperous future. President Trump's speech reflected that hope, and now we wait to see what can be accomplished by both the White House and Congress toward these commonly shared goals.

"For Latinos living in the United States, the issue of immigration reform is of obvious concern and is being carefully watched and monitored. Further, it was not only a part of President Trump's speech but was evident by the guests invited on both sides of the aisle and by one of the individuals chosen to give the Democrat response. It is evident that immigration reform continues to be a divisive issue that needs to be addressed in a comprehensive way.

"Our hope is that Congress will make it their utmost priority to immediately pass comprehensive immigration reform. The legislative process is the best way to respect the people living within our borders and better protect the sanctity and security of our country's founding ideals.

"While immigration reform is important, it is not paramount to the Latino community as evidenced by recent polling and through our daily conversations with the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference's (NHCLC) member churches. Tonight we heard the president address strengthening education, boosting the economy to create jobs and building a better America for ALL Americans. These are areas in which we have common ground with the president's vision and in which we are hopeful that real progress can be made through his administration.

This speech set the stage, not only, for this session of Congress, but for the next four years. During this time, the NHCLC will continue to work with the administration to make progress on the priorities of Latino Evangelicals including the issues of life, religious liberty, education equality, immigration reform and racial unity."

The NHCLC serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and hundreds of thousands of additional congregations spread worldwide throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. Seeking to reconcile evangelist Billy Graham's message of salvation with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s march of prophetic activism, the NHCLC emphasizes "7 Directives" of Life, Family, Compassionate Evangelism, Stewardship, Justice, Education and Youth. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.